DOMINION’S PART.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 246, 14 September 1935, Page 9

DOMINION’S PART.

PROTECTING THE COVENANT. CLEAR-CUT OPINIONS. Per Press Association. NVELLING IUiN, Sept. 13. The Legislative Councif meo at 2.30 p.m. me Address-in-Reply debate was continued. Hon. \V. H. Mclntyre urged that the unemployment Board snouid endeavour to put men back into industry. Hie present position regarding booKmakers, he continued, was absurd. He criticised the action of those who opposed reform of the gaming laws and increased bookmaking, and said bookmakers should bo licensed. Tne Church and the bookmakers should confer on the subject. Dealing with the Abyssinian dispute, Air Mclntyre said he did not think New Zealand had much interest in Britain's African policy, and he thought New Zealand would be well advised to be begged to be excused. He did not know why one man should be sent to fight to preserve the League of Nations, which was an absolute illusion. His sympathies were with Italy, which should have the right to endeavour to develop a country which was undeveloped and which tlie people who were occupying it would never develop. Similar arguments against Italy’s intentions could be used against British people coming to New Zealand. Hon. W. Perry referred to New Zealand’s obligations under the League Covenant and referred to the treaties by which New Zealand was bound in her relations with other nations. He also stressed her obligations under the treaties. Should the League collapse, an institution based on the hopes and prayers of millions would fail. There were two schools of thought about the League, one believing that the League was merely a conciliatory body, never resorting to force, and the other school thought war could not be avoided unless the would-be aggressor was restrained by force used against him. Air Perry said he belonged most emphatically to the latter school, and he was supported in liis view by the Archbishop of York. Hon. F. Waite: What if the other nations don’t join ? Air Perry: Then I should certainly not suggest that Britain should be the world’s policeman alone. The Archbishop made a statement subject to the condition that all should join in. It is the duty of members of the League to enforce the Covenant of the League at whatever cost. If we desire peace we must be prepared to make sacrifices to obtain peace. Mr Perry added that history had shown that peace had never been brought about by moral suasion. He strongly attacked the pacifists and said there seemed to be a division of opinion among members of the League of Nations Union in New Zealand. The Dominion was bound by all the obligations of the Covenant, and it was her duty to provide her share of the force necessarv to enforce the Covenant, assuming that all the signatories to the Covenant agreed to enforce sanctions. Signor Mussolini desired the, expansion of Italy, but had this position arisen in 1913, when Britain had a two-Power navy, Britain would have said “Hands off Abyssinia!” and Italy would have accepted that. Britain had almost thrown away her birthright by disarming, and it was doubtfui whether her voice counted for much in the councils of the nations.

Mr Perry also criticised Christian pacifists who belonged to the No More War Movement. The doctrine of Christian pacifism, he said, was subversive to a free democracy such as New Zealand was. If the League failed, the race for armaments would be intensified. He stressed the urgent need lor adequate naval and military defence in New Zealand. The Council adjourned at 4.15 p.m. till Wednesday.